SLAMjamz.com

Master Photographer Henry Adebonojo Shoots SLAMjamz Artists

February 20th, 2010

For a decade one photographers work has spanned the artistry of SLAMjamz and that's Henry Adebonojo himself an artist in various forms. At first Chuck D met Henry A on the continent of Africa shooting Public Enemy for Panifest in Ghana in 1993.

HOW DID YOU GET STARTED WITH SLAMJAMZ?

I was invited by Chuck to shoot photos of Slamjamz artist beginning with The Fine Arts Militia in the summer of 2002. Following that session I have completed numerous sessions with other Slamjamz artists in New York and Atlanta.

HOW DID YOU MEET CHUCK?

I met Chuck sometime around 1990 while Public Enemy were on Def Jam. I was involved in a number of music video shoots for PE and Flavor Flav. I also accompanied PE on a trip to Ghana in 1992 as part of a documentary crew.
I have been in touch with Chuck ever since then and he has always been amazingly supportive of my work for which I am eternally grateful.

WHAT BEST DESCRIBES YOUR WORK?

I have always been interested in film and photography that revolves around the human face and character features. I have been inspired by travels around the world to see beauty and interest in every face and find a way to interpret that.

At the same time I am also interested in solitude and love trying to connect solitude with humanity. Not always an easy task. I have a background in documentary filmmaking as well so that always creeps in to my photography somehow.

WHAT ARE YOUR INFLUENCES?

I am mostly inspired by Jazz music and musicians in general. There is something about the courage which musicians bring to their work that is inspiring to me. I think of Jazz music as one of the highest forms of expression in which
multiple voices are allowed to express themselves individually and collectively at the same time. It is a metaphor for life as I see it. I am also inspired by politics and the effect it has on our lives, as well as painting and history. I love history.

WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE SLAMJAMZ JOB?

My favorite Slamjamz shoot so far was my first shoot with Fine Arts Militia. We shot a variety of mediums, all in B&W and those photos are still mainly my favorites.

DO YOU LIKE ANY OF THE ARTISTS?

It's hard for me to mention any favorite artist on Slamjamz because the roster is so eclectic. In a world of a lot of sameness anything that provides an break from it is welcome and fresh and the group of talent on the label in incredibly diverse
and so full of energy.

I had the good fortune to photograph Public Enemy at the Guerrilla Nation Tour on Randall's Island a couple of years back. Talk about a show to put the novices to shame. Amazing!

BEST WAY TO CONTACT YOU FOR BUSINESS?

I have a website where samples of my work in film and photography can be viewed www.henryadebonojo.com.

I can be reached via email at henryadebonojo@gmail.com or by phone at 718-949-2222